All the Headphone You'll Ever Need? Sennheiser HD560s Headphone Review

#headphonereview #headphone #audiophile

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Subs

[gaborozorai]

The 560S actually achieves what Sennheiser say their goal was with this model: studio work compatible neutrality, clean, extended bass and resolution.

[rosswarren]

Thanks! I bought these today for $150 but forgot to use your link so here's a Super Thanks to say thanks a bunch. I plan on using them to EQ live music recording, so neutrality is more important than "sounding good". I can try to EQ them for "fun" when I play them for pleasure listening. Almost got the AKG 361 or 371 instead, but I hope these will do the job I need just fine.

[quincyfreeman]

These with dekoni leather pads are incredible, especially from a tuning standpoint. I’d take them with the aftermarket pads over the 6xx every day.
I’ve always been a heavy music listener, and I’ve been on a headphone journey all year trying all kinds of stuff from budget to sub 1k stuff, and these are what I’m sticking with. Stock: they are on the cold side of neutral, and can come across a little sibilant and shouty for sure, mids are super balanced, and bass is lean but very well extended and linear. I really enjoyed it stock, but then.. With the pad swap, it becomes along the lines of my preferred tuning. Bass gets a bump, without getting muddy or loose, mids warm up a little, but remain pretty linear, and the peaks in the highs are reduced just enough, or balanced out by the bass increase. I also find the dekoni pads to be super comfortable. The only drawback is soundstage and separation - I still find both to be good, but are reduced as one would expect. 10/10 recommend this combo for the price.
I think this combo out punches the Sundara at being a “complete” tuning/package - my opinion. To me, the Sundara’s upper mid dip doesn’t present things like piano well, and I’d argue it’s soundstage is less balanced/full (common characteristic for planars perhaps - it’s bigger, more out-of-head, but not tall or appropriately filled in).
Cheers cheapaudioman!

Pads used:
Dekoni Audio Choice Leather v2 Replacement Ear Pads for Sennheiser HD598/599, PC37X & PC38X Headphones

[SlickSniper]

I use my HD560s for gaming and general use and they are fantastic to me. I came from HD599 and gaming branded ones. I'm more than happy.

[deathtape]

Electrical hum in background really chilled me out. Nice review!

[eleftherioskarakostas]

bought the 560, 600, 650 and 660 at the same time. Had them all for about 2 weeks testing, my goal was to find the one that is closer to the real thing and that meant hearing a lot of live music, mostly jazz and classical and folk. I ended up keeping the 560s, the others werent even close. So thumbs up cheapaudioman.

[darkpatches]

The plastic build quality is just fine. I've had the Senn HD 590s since the early-mid 2000s. Also have the Senn HD 598, similar build quality to 590 and looks like the 560, still fine. Incredibly light and comfy, so wear and forget. Mine have survived, so the build quality should really be described as great. Not for walking around, or jogging, or kickboxing, but who would do that?

My two headphones sound like the verbal description of the 560. Love 'em. Picked both of mine up on Black Fri for $100; half off at the time. Good timing to buy maybe?

[VladVexler]

Great review. Unoriginally, I use these with ifi Zen Dac when I’m at the computer. Very happy with them, particularly for classical music.

[knobbshots]

Thanks Randy, as always, humorous and informative!

[customs]

I remember back in the late 90's Sennheiser had a $300 headphone, the 595, that didn't sell well. They glued a thin piece of foam to the inside of the baffles and re-branded it the 555. It was the early days of the internet but I found a forum that explained how to remove the foam, and my pseudo-595 with my HTOmega Claro+ was my endgame for years.

[JonBoudreaux]

I just bought these cans based on your recommendation even though I have much more expensive pairs of headphones, particularly Sennheisers. You were 100% correct about these headphones...the clarity is blowing my f***kin mind. Listened to all genres....from Playboi Carti, to Kacry Musgraves, Madonna, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Violent Femmes, Beck, Wham, etc....and it handled it all with grace and class. So happy i made this impulse buy. Cheapaudioman strikes it hot...yet again

[ChitMusik]

The Sennheiser HD 560S is a favorite headphone reference monitor for professional mix engineers. The reason is the aural neutrality – – which you spoke about.

[ginom]

I love that you not only compare but that you point out how different items would compliment the item under review. You did that for the Polk bookshelf speakers, that is Awesome! THANK YOU!!!

[adrianlevi]

IMO I agree 100%, my exact thought on the 560s . I love mine for their mostly un-hyped ability to translate what I think the source audio was intended to sound like.

[AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

I impulse bought my first Sennheiser's years ago (PXC550) and couldn't be happier.

[peterfernandezjr]

Just got my Emotiva B1, they're all you said they were in your review. Thanks to your advise, I feel I finally own a really nice pair of speakers w/o losing my shirt.

[joetspaulding]

When 15 year old my HD 555's quit working I'm totally getting these! Edit - just ordered a pair for my 12 yr/old daughter with your link! I love my 555's and my 598 SE's and yes they are so light and comfortable you forget they are on. they do not make your ears sore or hot even after hours of use

[doyleroberts]

Used your link and got the last one in stock for $140. Thanks, Randy, for the review.

[saum]

Loved how you used song examples to elaborate the sound quality!

[IanRS]

These are a great headphone - bought them earlier in the year. But, I sold them and got the HD600. The HD560s is indeed a relatively neutral sounding headphone, but for me it just had a little too much treble lift at times to be perfect. It is very, very good, but I think the HD600 is better - more neutral, with no treble lift and for me a much more refined sound signature - and I have used a range of amps and dacs listening to both of these. You really can't go wrong with either, but my preference was for the HD600.